Tory handbrake turn on Sunday parking charges

On the day after they were originally due to begin, WC has announced that Sunday car parking charges will not be introduced. This follows a campaign by Wiltshire Lib Dems against the charges.

This represents more than a U-turn for the administration, as the new fees had been previously unanimously agreed by leader Jane Scott and her cabinet

Other parking increases will though go ahead.

WC claims that additional government funding has allowed it to drop the idea. Here's the release from your WC propaganda department. Note how the announcement of a major policy change is hidden amongst flim-flam about doing stuff such as weeding which happens anyway:

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Wiltshire Council commits £8 million to support local towns and communities

Wiltshire Council has committed £8 million to support towns and communities across the county.

A 12-month programme to deliver improvements to local highway maintenance including repair of potholes, improve white lining, weed removal, kerb and pavement improvements, verges and improved road signage will be implemented.

The council will use new funding allocated from Government this week, along with its own funding to deliver these significant improvements.

In addition, to support high streets and the local economy, the council has decided to suspend Sunday charges in all Wiltshire Council run car parks throughout the county.

The programme reflects what's important to local communities and recognises the pressures on high streets.

Cabinet member for highways, Bridget Wayman, said: "We have listened to our local communities and businesses, and I am pleased that we have decided to use both the funding from central Government and council funding to support our local communities and towns.

"We know that the local environment matters to our communities and this programme will make those visible improvements that we all care about.

"We have listened to feedback and acted. In recent years we have increased investment in Wiltshire's roads and this additional commitment will deliver further improvements."

Pauline Church, cabinet member for economic development said: "This re-affirms our commitment to supporting our high streets and local businesses. We need to do all we can to encourage shoppers and visitors across the county, particularly as we head into the important festive period.

"This programme of highway improvements, combined with the suspension of charging for parking on Sundays, sends a robust message that we are committed to supporting the local economy and that we listen and respond."